Cyber Laws Need More Work: Report

Monday, January 23, 2017 @ 05:01 PM gHale

Americans want to step up efforts to combat cybercrime, a new survey said.

The work world is changing and 54 percent of Americans do not think areas such as education, regulations and laws and corporate culture have not adapted enough, according to the survey of over 700 Americans conducted by Vrge Analytics.

The survey also found 56 percent of respondents think as the economy becomes more global, it’s important the regulations and laws in the United States and other countries become more consistent.

Add to that, Americans also fear cybercriminals are gaining the upper hand.

Just 1 in 20 Americans said existing cyber security laws are enough to protect citizens and businesses and on top of that 54 percent advocated for stronger cyber laws.

The survey released in advance of the 2017 State of the Net Conference in Washington, a gathering of business and policy leaders to discuss the 2017 federal and state policy agenda.

“With a new President and new technologies challenging the status quo of economic laws and regulations, 2017 is shaping up as a critical policy year that will shape the future economy and issues of trade, privacy and security,” said Tim Lordan, executive director of the Internet Education Foundation.

Some survey highlights include:
• Americans remain mixed on how to approach emerging companies, such as Uber and Airbnb that challenge existing laws and regulations. Forty-four percent said existing laws should be adapted to fit the business models of these companies, while 36 percent said those companies should have to adapt. Among Millennials, only 1 in 4 think Uber and Airbnb should have to change.
• On cyber security, Americans don’t believe we have found the right balance between protecting privacy and ensuring security. Seventeen percent said the right balance exists. But 27 percent said it should be more skewed toward security, while 31 percent said it should be steered more toward privacy.
• An emerging issue is what efforts the U.S. government should play in checking countries that limit Internet access to their citizens. For example, Russia has blocked its citizens from access to LinkedIn and China demanded Apple remove The New York Times app from the Apps Store.
• Of Americans with an opinion, by a 4-1 margin they believe the U.S. policymakers should advocate for reducing barriers to digital trade. But in a sign of how trade issues are in flux, 43 percent said they are not sure.

“Americans are looking for assurances that they will be protected, whether that’s in allowing them to work in new ways or from cyber threats,” said Tom Galvin, partner at Vrge Strategies. “Clearly they are looking for leaders to take a fresh look at laws and regulations to ensure they are in step with a modern economy and society.”